The ancient Roman Empire was undoubtedly an extremely glorious empire, and the entire Mediterranean Sea became the inner lake of the Roman Empire under the conquest of Roman legions who were able to fight well. And now the rest of Europe is still completely barbaric. The Italians have always considered themselves the successors of Rome and have always wanted to recreate the glory of the Roman Empire. It's just that Italy's military strength is really not comparable to that of the Roman Empire, and it is simply a disgrace to their ancestors. Of course, the Italians themselves don't seem to be aware of this at all. Or rather, they pretend not to know.

The fact that the Chinese Empire was able to recognize the Mediterranean as Italy's sphere of influence was undoubtedly an affirmation of Italy, which made Mussolini very excited.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, is that really what His Majesty the Emperor of China said?" Mussolini asked excitedly.

"Of course, His Majesty the Emperor said so himself. However, His Majesty the Emperor wanted Italy to ensure the interests of the Empire in the Mediterranean after Italy became the hegemon of the Mediterranean. Wu Pengfei said.

"Of course, the Chinese Empire is Italy's closest ally, and of course we will guarantee the interests of our allies." Mussolini patted his chest and reassured.

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Italy admires the new weapons of the Chinese Empire very much. I wonder if the Chinese Empire will be able to sell those weapons to us and transfer the relevant technology? After all, we're about to become allies. Italy's military strength has always been low, and if we can get more advanced equipment, we will be able to assume more obligations and responsibilities as allies. Count Ziano said.

If it was Emperor Wu Haoxuan who heard this, he would probably scoff at it. The combat effectiveness of the Italian army can be described as wonderful. In the history that Wu Haoxuan is familiar with, the Italians are simply dedicated to pitting teammates. After they became allies of the Führer, they did not bring any help to the Führer at all, but instead needed the Führer to wipe their butts. If the Italians had been stronger, perhaps the outcome of the war would have been different. Of course, Wu Pengfei, the crown prince of the empire, did not know this.

Wu Pengfei frowned, the Italians actually made a request in this regard, which was a bit unexpected to him.

Mussolini and Count Ziano couldn't help but lift their hearts when they saw Wu Pengfei's expression. If Wu Pengfei refused, their plan would have been aborted. Of course, they might also be able to get relevant weapons and equipment from the Germans. But now the Germans are frantically preparing for war, and it is not enough to equip their own troops, how can they sell to the Italians? Even if I want to sell it to them, I'm afraid it will be a high price. As for the transfer of technology, that is even more impossible. Unless, the Italians are willing to give conditions that are sufficiently satisfactory to the Führer.

"I don't know what weapons are needed on the Italian side?" Wu Pengfei asked.

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, we hope to be able to get the 'Leopard 2' medium tank, F9 fighter, FC4 dive bomber and H8 medium bomber of the Chinese Empire." Count Ziano hurriedly said. For them, these weapons were urgently needed by Italy. If the armies of the Kingdom of Italy could be equipped with these weapons, their troops would be more than one step more effective in combat. As for other more advanced and expensive weapons, that's still counted. Good is good, but the price is certainly not cheap either.

"Your Excellency, I am not in a position to answer this question at this time. However, I can contact the country. I'll be able to answer you in the evening. Italy is a friend of the Reich and is about to become an ally of the Reich, and I am sure that the Reich will not be stingy with Italy. Wu Pengfei said.

"Of course, of course. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince, for your help. Count Ziano hurriedly said.

Mussolini's face was also full of smiles, and he knew that this could almost be done.

Subsequently, Wu Pengfei and Gu Shaochuan went to the room arranged by the Italians to rest. At the same time, the entourage began to report the requests of the Italians to the country with the help of the consulate's radio and domestic contacts.

After receiving the telegram, Emperor Wu Haoxuan immediately convened the cabinet and senior military officials to discuss. For this request of the Italians, they were a little surprised. However, it is not unacceptable. Originally, Wu Haoxuan thought that the Italians would get these weapons and technologies from the Germans. Unexpectedly, the Italians were the first to find the Empire.

In Wu Haoxuan's plan, the Italians, as the third in the entire alliance, are not very strong, but their ambitions are not small. Such a country is suitable as a-stirring stick. In particular, Italy shares a border with Germany. Once the war was over, the contradictions between the Führer and Mussolini, because of the relationship of interests, would definitely erupt. At that time, the Chinese Empire could use this to contain the Germans. Now, the Italians are taking the initiative to move closer to the Empire, which is exactly what the Empire wants to see.

After some deliberations, Wu Haoxuan approved the decision to sell weapons and equipment to Italy. Although, these weapons and equipment are the main equipment of the empire. But in reality, the empire did not stop developing the next generation of weapons and equipment. It is expected that after the outbreak of war, the empire will begin to mass-produce the next generation of weapons and equipment. And now these weapons and equipment will no longer be produced. Therefore, even if it is sold to the Italians, it will not cause much damage to the empire. Of course, one of the conditions was that the Italians had to keep it a secret and not let the technology fall into the hands of the enemies of the empire, such as Britain, France, and the United States. Otherwise, it will cause a lot of trouble. The weapons and equipment equipped by the empire are much more advanced than those equipped by Britain, France, the United States, and other countries, and are even more than a generation ahead.

Of course, the Italians also got these weapons and equipment for free. The Italians had to buy a thousand Leopard 2 tanks before the Reich would transfer technology to them. The number of F9 fighters is also a thousand, the number of FC4 dive bombers is five hundred, and the number of H8 medium bombers is two hundred. As for the price, it is more than twice the purchase price of the Imperial * army. In addition, if the Italians are unable to produce the core components, such as engines, they will have to import them from China. In this way, relying on these weapons and equipment, the Chinese Empire will be able to make a lot of money from the Italians. Even if the empire is not short of money now, the war will soon begin. When a war starts, spending money is like running water. There is always nothing wrong with stockpiling up more military spending.

That night, the imperial crown prince Wu Pengfei revealed the conditions of the empire to the Italians. Although, the conditions of the Chinese Empire were slightly harsh. However, Mussolini, after consideration, accepted the conditions of the Chinese Empire. After all, these weapons and equipment are really capable of boosting Italy's military power. With a stronger military force, that is the most important thing, and the confidence to speak should be a little harder.

In addition, the Italians did not intend to deepen their relations with the Chinese Empire through this arms purchase. After all, Italy and Germany have very close relations, but how can there be real friends between countries? The Italians were equally wary of the Germans. The Chinese Empire, though powerful, was too far away from Italy. The threat to Italy was also far less great than that of Germany. What's more, the Chinese Empire still recognized the hegemony of the Kingdom of Italy in the Mediterranean, which made Mussolini very satisfied.

"Your Highness the Prince, can I join you on your transport plane to Berlin tomorrow?" Mussolini asked. He had flown though. However, the large transport aircraft of the Chinese Empire, he has not yet flown on. The huge fuselage must be fundamentally different from the planes I had flown in before.

"Of course, it's our pleasure." Wu Pengfei nodded.

The next day, January 5, at 8 a.m., the Y9 transport plane of the Imperial Air Force took off from an air base in northern Italy. In addition to Wu Pengfei and Gu Shaochuan and their entourage, there were also Mussolini and his secretary on the plane. As for the rest of the Italian delegation, they rushed to Berlin by train. For Italians, this is also the safest approach.

In the event of an accident on the plane and the leader is killed, there is also Count Ziano who can preside over the overall situation. Of course, the Italians are simply overthinking. The Y9 transport aircraft of the Imperial Air Force were tested enough, and the likelihood of a crisis was very small. What's more, this is a special plane specially modified for the royal family, and the safety performance is definitely the highest.

From northern Italy to Berlin, it is not far, only about 1,000 kilometers. With a cruising speed of 360 kilometers on the Y9, it only takes three hours to fly to Berlin.

When the plane flew into German airspace, the German Me109 fighters who had been waiting here for a long time escorted the escort. It's just that the shortcomings of the Me109 fighter with short legs were replaced with a batch of aircraft halfway through.

At 11 o'clock in the afternoon, the Y9 transport plane of the Imperial Air Force landed at the airbase outside Berlin. The high-ranking officials of the German side have been waiting here for a long time. Hess, Deputy Head of the National Socialist Workers' Party, Goering, Minister of Air Force, Ribbentrop, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Adolf Hitler, represented Führer Adolf Hitler, greeted the Crown Prince of the Chinese Empire, as well as the Italian leader Benito Mussolini. The Germans were also a little strange about Mussolini's arrival in Berlin on a Chinese plane. If the Chinese Empire and Italy were to get closer, it would not be a good thing for them, and it would be worth keeping them wary.

After a pleasantry at the airport, Wu Pengfei and others were sent to a special hotel on Bodhi Tree Street. Tonight, Führer Adolf Hitler will hold a secret welcome dinner. (To be continued.) )